Attractions
Historical Center
Address: Salvador Díaz Mirón 108, Zona Centro, 89000 Tampico, Tamps. .The heart of this part of the city is undoubtedly the Plaza de Armas. Everything in that perimeter is amazing, starting with its monumental pavilion, known as “El Pulpo” ( The Octopus), which was installed to replace the first one that literally was blown away by the wind during the cyclone of 1933. It is worth noting that this was not the region’s most tragic meteorological phenomenon most in the region—there was another one that would come a little over twenty years later.
As you tour the colossal pink octopus, you will notice an unusual neocolonial, baroque and eclectic mix that could only happen in Mexico and that manages to unite fantastically without breaking into the absolute beauty of the Catedral de Tampico (Tampico’s Cathedral), located a few meters behind.
Dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, this opulent neoclassical church opens its three large doors to parishioners and visitors so that they can admire each of the jewels and curiosities contained within.
Its central niche, in white Carrara marble, shines and coexists with the surroundings in ivory tones and multiple vaults from start to finish. Inside, in addition to numerous paintings, murals and majestic altarpieces, there is a clock brought from London, which was a gift from the Spanish landowner Don Ángel Sáinz Trápaga, a famous figure in the region.
A curious and visible aspect in the central aisle of the Cathedral is a series of swastikas that go from the entrance to the altar, a disconcerting fact for some people. It has nothing to do with what it seems, but rather that it is “gamadas” (swastika style cross) which were placed almost a century ago and symbolize, according to the chroniclers, Christ as the eternal light.
When you leave the Cathedral, go to the Plaza de Armas where you will find El Globito (The little Balloon), a famous refreshment shop, which for more than eighty years operated 24 hours a day. Today, although it works with new schedules, it is still a tradition where locals and visitors take a break and some revitalizing fruit crush.
Tampico is also famous for being the birthplace of one of the most beloved characters in Mexican pop culture and cinematography—Mauricio Garcés. Without leaving the Plaza de Armas, you will be able to find his statue, where you will also see one of the actor Humprey Bogart, who filmed The Treasure of the Sierra Madre in the municipality, and another statue dedicated to President Porfirio Díaz and one more that corresponds to an unusual character, “Pepito el Terrestre”, or El Gigante de Tampico (Tampico’s Giant), remembered for being the tallest man in the world, no less than 2 and a half meters (over 8 feet).(https://www.visitmexico.com/en/tamaulipas/tampico)
Laguna del Carpintero (Carpintero Lagoon)
Address: Laguna del Carpintero, 89169 Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico .This lagoon stands out not only for being in the central part of Tampico, but for being attached to a mangrove where you can still see white herons and crocodiles.
If you want to embark on a tour aboard a boat, go to the Canal de la Cortadura, where you can find a group leading by a guide, who will take you to see this aquifer union made up of the Pánuco River and the Carpintero Lagoon.
During the journey, you will see murals made by urban artists and on each side the houses of the inhabitants, followed by sports and rest areas.
Once the canal ends and it seems like the end of the trip, a new one begins without getting off the boat. The waters extend and the houses disappear to enter the lagoon. The trees intertwine to make way for the mangrove swamp and among the urbanization nature remains present.
At the distance you can see Tampico’s Convention and Exhibition Center, an area where the most important concerts and shows in the city are presented. The whole ride takes just over an hour. At the end, you can buy handicrafts that are displayed where you started the tour.(https://www.visitmexico.com/en/tamaulipas/tampico/laguna-del-carpintero-carpintero-lagoon)
Aduana Marítima (Marine Customs Office)
Address: Acceso a La Aduana Marítima, Zona Centro, Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico .Built at the end of the 19th century by Porfirio Díaz order, the industrial neoclassical style construction reflects the genius, elegance and European inspiration that characterized the then president of Mexico. The forge on the railings and on other spaces of the site as well as the marble floors, were brought from France and Spain.
With nearly 120 years old, the building has witnessed to two tragic events that made history in Tampico—the 1933 cyclone, where the water levels almost reached the first floor, and 1955 Hurricane Hilda, which devastated a large part of the city and flooded the entire ground floor of the enclosure, staying that way for almost a month.
Such is the importance of Tampico, that its Customs Office was the main maritime receiver in all of the country and the most important port during the oil boom. It’s so true that it was in this destination where a known cola soda appeared for the first time, before spreading to the rest of the country.
When leaving the building, we suggest you to go and try one of their famous Tortas de la Barda (De la Barda Mexican sandwiches) made with 11 ingredients that appease any craving, as well as taste their soft bottled drink vanilla-flavor “Esquis”, characteristic of the region.(https://www.visitmexico.com/en/tamaulipas/tampico/maritime-customs)
Miramar Beach
Address: Playa Miramar, Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, Mexico .In the municipality of Ciudad Madero, just a few minutes away from the Historical Center of Tampico you can find one of its most visited beaches by both locals and travelers. Ideal for sunbathing and enjoying the local gastronomic offer.
You will be surprised to find a notorious amount of illustrations and posters alluding to aliens, as its inhabitants assure that a base commanded by “beings from another planet” is located very close by, attributing the absence of hurricanes in recent decades to that.
The beach, which is also frequented by a community of countless raccoons, is the perfect space to lie down on the sand enjoying warm weather. It’s common to find people dressed as movie characters and superheroes to be photographed, it’s also the time when groups of friends, families and couples organize themselves to have fun.
If you continue along the boardwalk, you will enter Las Escolleras (Breakwaters), a cobbled walk on its banks but paved inland. It’s possible to rent bicycles and quadricycles so you can admire the Pánuco River on the right side and the Gulf of Mexico on the left.
At the end of the road you will discover a Lighthouse where taking a photo is a must, since this point is the union between the river and the sea with enviable panoramic views.(https://www.visitmexico.com/en/tamaulipas/tampico/miramar-beach)
El Malecón (Escolleras) Miramar
Address: Golfo de México, Playa Miramar, 89540 Cd Madero, Tamps. .The “Malecón”, also known as Las Escolleras, is located on the shores of Playa Miramar, where the Pánuco River meets the Gulf of Mexico. From the Malecón you will be able to see the boats passing by and on occasions the dolphins.
